PolandBiography
The legendary figure of Polish athletics. Five-time Olympian, three-time Olympic champion. Only athlete to have 100m, 200m and 400m world records in athletics history.
Chosen for athletics team by Olympic javelin thrower Jan Kopyto in school in 1960, than won junior Polish title in 1962. First impact came in European Junior Cup 1964 where collect triple gold. Same year, she secured 4x100 metres gold and two silver in Tokyo Olympic Games. After her Olympic success at such a tender age, she turned into a world-class sprinter starting from 1965.
Had double sprint victory in Universiade 1965. Next summer, she stormed four medals (three event record) in European Champs, only lost came in 100 metres to teammate Ewa Klobukowska after a tight-finish.
Szewinska won her second Olympic gold in Mexico City at age of 22. She clocked world record in 200 metres with 22.5 (later adjusted as 22.58), also stood up in 100 metres podium as bronze medallist.
Took a break in athletics due to pregnancy in 1969-70 season and back to business with a medal in European Indoor 1971. Five years without major gold, Szewinska became a star once more, this time in Rome 1974 Euros. Clocked 11.13 (NR) & 22.51 with strong head-wind - but still managed to have championship best.
Szewinska's magical running reached another high in Montreal 1976 Games. Arrived in Canadian city as the world record holder, she amazed everybody in Olympic stadium. On 29th July, Szewinska cuts her previous WR mark by nearly half a second while progressing from 49.75 to 49.28 secs - nearest rival arrived at finish by 1.23 secs margin.
After Montreal Olympics, she continued and winning as a 30-something mother, added the medal tally European Cup and World Cup podiums. In Prague, she won two bronze medal and became the most medal-winning athlete in European Champs history ahead of Fanny Blankers-Koen and Renate Stecher.
She contested fifth Olympic Games in Moscow and eliminated in 400m semi finals. That was her last race in illustrious career.
During 18-year career, she breaks seven world and 36 national records. She topped in the world list 17 times, three in 100 metres, seven in 200 metres, four in 400 metres, three in long jump.
PERSONAL BESTS
100 metres: 11.13 (-1.2) in Rome 1974
200 metres: 22.21 (1.9) in Potsdam 1974
400 metres: 49.29 in Montreal 1976
400m hurdles: 56.62 in Hannover 1977
LJ: 6.62 (1.3) in Helsinki 1971
50m indoor: 6.39 in Grenoble 1972
60m indoor: 7.20 in Göteborg 1974
WORLD RECORDS (8)
100m: 11.1 (2.0) - Prague 09.07.1965
100m: 11.20A (1.8) - Mexico City 14.10.1968 (Equal)
200m: 22.7 (0.8) - Warsaw 08.08.1965
200m: 22.58A (2.0) - MexicoCity 18.10.1968
200m: 22.21 (1.9) - Potsdam 13.06.1974
400m: 49.9 - Warsaw 22.06.1974
400m: 49.75 - Bydgoszcz 22.06.1976
400m: 49.29 - Montreal 29.07.1976
60m indoor: 7.24 - Göteborg 10.03.1974
TRIVIA
♦ Born in a Jewish-Polish family. Father,Jakub, was an engineer, mother, Eugenia from Kiev. Parents divorced in 1953. She grew up with her mother.
♦ Graduated from University of Warsaw, Faculty of Social Sciences.
♦ In 1967, married to her coach, Janusz Szewinski, former hurdler. Sons, Andrzej (b.1970) and Jaroslaw (1981). Older son, Andrzej, was a high-class volleyball player and Universiade medallist, senator in Polish parliament.
♦ Died from long-battled cancer in 2018. Despite her Jewish heritage, buried as a Catholic.
♦ Had numerous 'best' or 'greatest' awards. Amongst the first inductees of IAAF Hall of Fame in 2012.
♦ Bydgoszcz City Council awarded honorary citizenship to her in 2005.
♦ Track and Field - Athlete of The Year Award (1974).